I have developed an appreciation of jazz (Coltrane, Ayler, Sanders, etc.). I have no musical education though. I am therefore looking for some sort of lectures or texts for a better (or any at all) understanding of the technical matters (harmonies, modality, etc.). Any I've seen seem to be targeted at students, while what I'm looking should start from the beginning.

Welcome to Music SE! This question is a little broad and shopping recommendation questions are off-topic here. Fell free to ask if you have any specific questions.
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American LukeSep 29 '12 at 16:53

Sorry, I hadn't noticed that. There is a reference-request tag in Math SE so I just assumed it would be fine. How could I improve this question? I assume "Please explain these terms" would be better, but I'm afraid I don't (and can't) have a list.
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Karolis JuodelėSep 29 '12 at 17:44

4 Answers
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The problem is that John Coltrane's jazz involves extremely advanced concepts in harmony and music theory. If you have no musical education, you are asking to go to post-graduate university before you have attended elementary school (if I may use a figure of speech). I am afraid that you may need to spend a considerable amount of time acquiring an education in the basics of harmony and theory before you can gain an understanding of bebop jazz.

I went through several levels of a series called Contemporary Music Theory around age 15. While it is targeted at students, it starts pretty basic (more so than "The Jazz Theory Book"), and thus might satisfy your needs.

But, to reiterate Wheat William's answer, you have a long long way to go. This series does not go up to John Coltrane's level, but it's a good start.